Registered agent, explained
Every state where you form an LLC or corporation, and every state where you register to do business, requires a registered agent. Here is what the role actually involves, what you are paying for, and when doing it yourself makes sense.
Three legal duties
- Accept service of process. When someone sues the company, the papers are delivered to the agent. If they never reach you, the lawsuit can proceed without you and end in a default judgment.
- Receive official mail. Annual-report notices, franchise-tax bills, and state demand letters are often sent to the agent. Good providers scan and forward the same day.
- Keep a physical in-state address that is staffed during normal business hours. A PO box or virtual mailbox does not qualify.
The agent's name and address are public: they appear on your formation documents and in the state's business search.
Commercial agent vs your own address
| Commercial agent | Yourself / an employee | |
| Cost | ~$50–$300/yr per state | $0 |
| Address on public record | The agent's office | Your home or office |
| Availability | Staffed every business day | You must be reachable there during business hours |
| Out-of-state formation | Works anywhere | Only if you have an address in that state |
| Compliance reminders | Usually included | Your own calendar |
Acting as your own agent is free and legal if you have a physical address in the state, but it publishes that address and means a process server can arrive at your door or office in front of customers. Forming in Delaware or Wyoming without living there requires a commercial agent.
What drives the price
Low-cost agents cover the legal minimum: accept papers and forward them. Higher-priced agents add same-day scanning, a business mailing address you can use on filings, annual-report reminders or filing, and a single dashboard across many states. Watch for teaser pricing that renews much higher, and for bundles that charge separately for mail forwarding.
Two states, two agents
A Delaware or Wyoming company that registers in California needs an agent in both states. Most national providers cover every state under one account, which is the main reason multi-state companies use them.
Changing or losing your agent
To switch, file a change-of-agent form with the state (Delaware charges $50 for an agent-only change). Don't let an agent lapse by ignoring its invoice: agents can resign, and a company without an agent can lose good standing or be administratively dissolved — Wyoming and many other states do exactly that. Cancelling the agent does not cancel the company either; see how to properly close an entity in Delaware or Wyoming.